Department profile
Bell Gully

Corporate/Commercial

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : New Zealand


Bell Gully

Rankings

About

Provided by Bell Gully

Our corporate and commercial practice has earned a national and international reputation for providing practical, commercial and innovative legal advice. Our team advises on some of the country's most significant commercial, outsourcing and M&A projects, as well as day to day matters for our key clients.

Our large corporate and commercial team provides market-leading advice on all relevant areas, including commercial law, intellectual property, competition law / trade practices, e-commerce, industry-specific and general regulatory compliance issues, organisational restructures, corporate governance and insurance advice.

We also routinely advise on transactional projects, including joint ventures, M&A, friendly and hostile takeovers of public companies, private equity, capital markets and securities transactions to support our clients’ growth objectives. As the clear first choice New Zealand law firm for international clients, we regularly advise on cross-border transactions. A core part of our practice also involves providing day-to-day support on commercial contracts, on a cost effective basis.

Our strong track record working with major New Zealand and multinational companies, financial institutions and government agencies on the most significant transactions and operational issues is the source of our reputation. Independent legal and financial research houses consistently recognise our corporate and M&A practice as the market leader in New Zealand.

Clients (8)

  • Vodafone Group
  • BP International
  • Nuplex Industries
  • Hewlett Packard
  • Fletcher Building
  • Crown Fibre Holdings
  • Blackstone
  • HNA Group

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/Commercial - New Zealand

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Bell Gully's acclaimed bench of highly skilled corporate lawyers caters to an impressive, blue-chip client base. In addition to handling high-value mergers, demergers, joint ventures and acquisitions, the firm provides an extensive offering in capital markets, private equity and restructuring as well as corporate governance matters. Its team handles transactions across a multitude of industries, including energy, construction and finance.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Bell Gully advised Stonepeak on the acquisition of NZX-listed retirement village operator Arvida Group via a court-approved scheme of arrangement.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Bell Gully are leaders in this area. They have deep technical and industry-specific expertise, which they apply to the advice they provide, and they have navigated complex issues with ease.

    Corporate/Commercial respondentAsia-Pacific
  • We are amazed how quickly and efficiently advice is turned around to the very highest quality.

    Corporate/Commercial respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Anna Buchly
    Band 1Anna Buchly

    Anna Buchly

    Anna Buchly regularly acts for private equity outfits and listed companies in relation to substantial and significant corporate transactions. She is based in Auckland.
    • Anna is a trusted adviser to our business and an outstanding lawyer. She has very strong technical ability and a deep understanding of our industry, coupled with a very realistic commercial focus.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Anna Buchly is highly knowledgeable, practical and very methodical in her approach and advice.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 1James Gibson
    Band 1James Gibson

    James Gibson

    James Gibson is a highly regarded, Auckland-based practitioner, noted for his work assisting major corporates and private equity groups in relation to some of New Zealand's largest corporate transactions.
  • Band 3James Cooney
    Band 3James Cooney

    James Cooney

    James Cooney operates in a number of sectors, including healthcare and natural resources, and is well regarded for his work advising clients in relation to both international and domestic M&A transactions. He is based in Auckland.
    • James Cooney is a first-class operator.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentAsia-Pacific
    • No matter how difficult or complex the matter, he is consistently available and responds excellently to all areas of the business.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 4Amon Nunns
    Band 4Amon Nunns

    Amon Nunns

    Amon Nunns is based in Wellington and regularly acts for clients in relation to corporate acquisitions and capital market transactions.
    • What made Amon stand out was his technical knowledge and his excellence in treating complex matters as just another Monday. He was also very responsive throughout and available around the clock.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 4Dean Alderton
    Band 4Dean Alderton

    Dean Alderton

    Dean Alderton is based in Auckland and noted for his handling of a wide range of M&A transactions, his clients including players in the technology and energy sectors.
    • His key strength is his ability to get consensus from the other firms. Rather than trying to point score, he tries to get the desired outcome for his clients.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentAsia-Pacific
    • We count ourselves very fortunate to have had Dean Alderton on our side during negotiations to ensure the best outcome.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 4Glenn Joblin
    Band 4Glenn Joblin

    Glenn Joblin

    Glenn Joblin is based in Auckland and advises extensively on corporate transactions, being particularly well known for those he handles on behalf of insurance sector clients. He is also an experienced handler of FMCG sector-related deals.
  • Band 5Chris Goddard
    Band 5Chris Goddard

    Chris Goddard

    Chris Goddard is based in Auckland and leverages his considerable experience in corporate law to advise clients operating across various industries in New Zealand.

    • He was fantastic to deal with from a knowledge and technical skill point of view, as well as being on call at all times to provide great support.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 5Jennifer Coote
    Band 5Jennifer Coote

    Jennifer Coote

    Jennifer Coote is noted for her forestry work, while also taking on mandates including capital raises, acquisitions and asset sales.

    • Jennifer Coote is very organised, detail-oriented and a subject matter expert in corporate law in New Zealand.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentAsia-Pacific
  • Band 5Toby Sharpe
    Band 5Toby Sharpe

    Toby Sharpe

    Toby Sharpe is a respected, Auckland-based practitioner who often acts on ECM and M&A transactions for clients in the financial services and technology sectors.
    • He was always available to provide very practical advice to the business and talk us through things.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentAsia-Pacific
    • Toby Sharpe consistently delivers by providing pragmatic and tailored solutions to complex legal matters within tight timeframes.

      Corporate/Commercial respondentAsia-Pacific

Ranked Individuals at Bell Gully (9)

New Zealand

Members

Provided by Bell Gully

Bell Gully has rankings in the following guides

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